Oh - the dreaded insomnia!!! It gets so frustrating!! I have been able to get to sleep better the last week or two. As soon as I go to sleep, I don't have a problem. It's just getting to sleep that was the nightmare. This is my trick - I hope it helps you. When you're feeling panicky about going to bed, lie to yourself and tell yourself things like, "it doesn't matter how much sleep I get tonight because I don't have to do anything tomorrow and can sleep in." Logically, I know this is a lie but it helps because it helps calm your mind. The more tense you get about sleeping, the worse it's going to get and the longer you will be fighting this. You need to challenge those thoughts and remember that it really is ok if you don't get enough sleep that night because you will sleep when your body needs it. You will be able to beat this - you have to beat your thoughts first!
Concentrate on the lights and patterns you see when you close your eyes. The more the thoughts come in, the harder you need to concentrate on the patterns. Hum in your head while you do this so you're not thinking. A monotone kind of hum. Not a song. It quiets your mind.
And turn that clock around! The more you look at the clock, the more you see how much sleep you've lost, the more you start to panic.
Good luck! I hope you get some sleep tonight! I know personally how hard this is to get through, but I also know you can do it! I promise!!
